Art platform curator19.90 has chosen to bring the 2nd edition of Urban Dawn to Beirut, Lebanon making it the largest urban art exhibition to take place in the region. The month-long show will feature a selection of curated artworks from both established and emerging young artists from around the globe. Much of the work on view will be linked to the urban environment, drawing heavily on graffiti traditions and street art.

Lebanon is a small country with a strong personality developed through its diverse and rich culture, scenic landscapes and ancient spectacular beauty. It is one of the most developed countries in the Middle East with a long historical reach. In the 1950's its capital city, Beirut, experienced a renaissance turning the country into a global tourist destination and financial center.

Despite the hardship the country faced after the 1975 civil war, Lebanon has been rebuilding itself and is once again a global hotspot, renowned especially for its nightlife and some of the best food, beaches and culture the world has to offer. It is a rejuvenation that is palpable in its people, for the Lebanese are welcoming and full of exuberance fueled by optimism about the future of their country. The art platform curator19.90 is honored to bring Urban Dawn vol II to the city of Beirut during this exciting period.

MISSION

Curator19.90 intends for Urban Dawn vol II to act not only as a platform to exhibit international urban and street art but to create as a place for the art community of Lebanon to engage, explore and discover like- minded individuals. Curator19.90 would also like to help break the cycle of negative media attention in Lebanon via an exhibition that celebrates the country through arts and culture. The platform includes many young Lebanese artists providing them the opportunity to work with other international artists and curators.

Urban Dawn II will engage in some of the social complexities that Lebanon faces today through various artistic projects. The artists Finok and Ethos will be creating two large- scale murals to be donated to the city whilst the artist Gilf will be creating a work on a woman's prison. The artists will also visit refugee camps and other charitable organizations throughout the month.

The platform hopes to provide a rich program with various talks, master classes and artist-led tours that will be engaging to the visitors.

Urban Dawn II will include artworks by Ethos, Finok, Demsky, Base23, Frederik Nablaerod, Harif Guzman, superstars such as El Mac, Andrew Schoultz, ECB, Retna, Shepard Fairey and others from Europe and Russia, Asia, and North and South America. From Lebanon, Curator19.90 is proud to present the artists DEM183, Ashekman and EPS. On the eve of the public opening a famous artist from Europe will give a live performance, their entity will remain a mystery until the works reveals itself. This artwork will be sold during the evening and all the proceeds will go to the recycling program of Beirut city.

Rasmus Ejaas Fischer, Chief Curator is a leading Scandinavian urban and street art curator from Denmark. He is currently acting curator at Galerie Wolfsen and was chief curator at last year's Urban Dawn show in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Mateo Mize, co-curator is a specialist of Latin American art. He has held posts as the Director of ArtNowNY/ Joseph Gross Gallery in New York City and the Director of Zener Schon Gallery in The Bay Area, Northern California. Mateo works with established international artists but is also known for his ability to discover and present promising emerging artists into the larger international contemporary scene. Mateo has worked with a plethora of artists some of which include Harif Guzman, Shelter Serra, Ted Lawson, Banksy, Alison Mosshart, and Robert Rauschenberg.

Melissa McCaig-Welles, co-curator has over 15 years experience in contemporary urban street art. She works with numerous galleries, museums, art fairs and brands worldwide. Melissa is recognized for discovering contemporary art talent and placing them at the forefront of her curatorial programs. She has presented artists recognized as pioneers of the new contemporary art movements including Swoon, Icy & Sot, Shepard Fairey, Dan Witz, Olek, Dalek, Vexta, Lady Pink, Gilf!, Tim Okamura among others

PARTNERSHIP

Loft Investments & Ayad Nasser is the main partner of the project Urban Dawn II. Loft Investments is a unique development brand that has brought a new architectural style to Lebanon. Mr. Nasser has long been known to look outwards, focusing on international expansion, until recently when he decided it was time to redirect his focus inwards and on his own country, for which that he is so deeply passionate. He is now focused on the country's urbanism, its people, its environment and its culture.

Bringing Urban Dawn II to Lebanon with the objective of re-launching Beirut as a leader in the Arts, culture and sustainable development of the Middle East was exactly the right fit for his vision. He hopes that through this and future projects he will help to bring back the confidence, respect and peace to the country and good people of Lebanon

URBAN DAWN 2015

The first Urban Dawn took place in 2015 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The exhibition located in a multifunctional complex of Villa Boutiques and Restaurants was a huge success with over 2500 visitors throughout the month. The team at curator19.90 and all the artists involved were delighted that so many people were able to attend and enjoy the exhibition. Curator19.90 hopes to carry over and continue this success with Urban Dawn II in Beirut Lebanon

Each year Urban Dawn will take place in a different country and will feature a leading artist from the previous host country. This year, for example, the graffiti team Repas from Kazakhstan will show their artworks in Lebanon. When selecting a new host city curator19.90 also likes to reflect on the participating artists from the current exhibition; we wish to acknowledge the artist Ashekman from Lebanon who helped to influence the choice.

It is important for curator19.90 to connect to the host country, not only through engagement of the social complexities of a region but also by making a connection through the fashion and lifestyle of the country.

Every year the team selects a local designer to collaborate on limited edition T-shirts and sweatshirts with one of the artists from the exhibition. This year the designer from Lebanon Сylia Dorra will create a special edition of numbered fashion pieces with Colombian artist Alex Sastoque.